The top five European managers who quit smoking

1. Johan Cruyff

"Football has given me everything in this life; tobacco almost took it all away."

An illustrious football career for both club and country as he won more titles, collected more accolades than could fit his trophy cabinet, Cruyff truly is a legend of the game, who has inspired the Barcelona style of today.

But he was not only a success as a player but as a coach, too. In 1987 he won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Ajax but it would be at Barcelona where he would have his most successful stint as boss.

Cruyff coupled with his four La liga titles, added three Spanish Super Cups, the European Cup, the European Cup Winners' Cup and Copa del Rey.

However, smoking 20 cigarettes a day eventually took its toll and he had to have double bypass surgery in 1991. The iconic Dutchman swapped cigarettes for lollipops and later revealed: " I do not smoke because I was told I would die if I continued smoking."

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 09:00

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The top five European managers who quit smoking

The top five European managers who quit smoking

As part of our series looking at the European Commission's 'Quit Smoking with Barca' campaign, Goal.com take a peek at some of the most recognisable coaches in the game who have managed to kick the habit.

For those looking to quit smoking, Barcelona have teamed up with the European Commission’s “Ex-Smokers are Unstoppable” campaign (www.exsmokers.eu) to launch the innovative 'Quit Smoking with Barça' programme. To find out more information and read about the FCB iCoach app, visit www.quitsmokingwithbarca.eu